The history and culture of the charming Southern town of Washington in Wilkes County…The beautiful lakes and countryside found in Lincoln County…A museum honoring Laurel and Hardy in a town filled with unique shops and boutiques in Columbia County…Heading across rolling hills in a wagon on a fox hunt in McDuffie County…Visiting a working grist mill and a museum filled with antique cars in Warren County.
The five Georgia counties that comprise the Clarks Hill region are filled with lots of adventures that make it a perfect destination for North Georgia residents. Take a long weekend or even a week and enjoy all that the Clarks Hill region has to offer.
Thomson in McDuffie County is the location for an annual old English fox hunt that is a tradition for many who pack lunch and head out in wagons. The 46th annual Blessing of the Hounds and Tally-Ho wagon ride was held recently.
Clarks Hill Partnership of Georgia: History, outdoor adventure and more awaiting visitors
COLUMBIA COUNTY
The heart of Columbia County is Harlem, a quaint Southern town filled with charming antique and gift boutiques, wonderful dining experiences and lots of family fun, including an annual festival that brings up to 30,000 people to visit.
Harlem, located near Augusta, is a great destination for North Georgia residents as it is just a two-hour drive away. There are lots of family friendly and economical options offered.
Harlem has just 3,000 residents, but the first weekend in October each year it draws tens of thousands of people to visit the downtown area and celebrate the life of comedian Oliver Hardy, who was born in Harlem in 1892. The festival includes more than 300 arts and crafts booths, food concessions, live entertainment, children’s rides, a barbecue dinner, silent auction and Laurel and Hardy look-alikes.
The city of Harlem at first had two shelves in its city hall with donated and borrowed Laurel and Hardy memorabilia. The collection has grown and now fills the town’s old post office. A back room in the museum is where films are shown to visitors. The Laurel and Hardy Museum is open year round.
Some of the shops found in downtown Harlem are Lucky Lady, which has pecans coated in all sorts of wonderful flavors; and My Sister’s Loft, a fun consignment shop and boutique.
Located in the heart of Harlem is Red Oak Manor is Columbia County’s only bed and breakfast. The Acorn Restaurant is located adjacent to the inn. The restaurant is a great place to get a hearty meal during your visit.
While in Columbia County, be sure to stop at Savannah Rapids and Pavilion, which is located on an 80-foot bluff overlooking the Savannah River in Martinez. It is a great location to enjoy outdoor activities. The Savannah Rapids Park is a great destination for kayaking, canoeing, biking or hiking.
Also in Columbia County is Steed’s Dairy. Visitors will find a petting zoo, hayride, jumping pillow, PVC slides and pumpkin patch during the fall. It’s located two miles from I-20 on Wrightsboro Road in Grovetown. For more information, go to www.steedsdairy.com.
Other things to do in Columbia County include:
•International Disc Golf Center, 3828 Dogwood Lane, Appling.
•Wildwood Park, Georgia’s bass tournament destination, 6212 Holloway Road, Appling.
•Sanderlin’s Greenhouse, where you can find beautiful poinsettias and spring flowers, as well as many other plants and flowers.
For more information, go to www.visitcocoga.com.
LINCOLN COUNTY
Lincoln County is a great place to visit for outdoor adventure, including boating, fishing and hunting. Clarks Hill Lake has 400 miles of shoreline and 17 boat ramps in Lincoln County.
Contact Hayes Marina for boat rentals at 5580 Marina Parkway (706-541-9111). An afternoon or all day on the water is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside. Pick up lunch before heading out and enjoy eating during your day boating.
Elijah Clark State Park, named after Revolutionary War hero and frontiersman, is also in Lincoln County and it’s a great place to camp. RV sites and furnished cottages are offered. The grounds include a museum, the graves of Clark and his wife and a gift shop and information center.
The state park is located on the western shore of Clarks Hill Lake, making it the perfect destination for fishing and boating.
Lincoln County Historical Park gives visitors a look back at the early days of Lincoln County with an 1850s cotton gin, doctor’s office and home, a late 1700s log cabin, a log smokehouse, a blacksmith’s shop and an old sawmill. Each year, the third Saturday in November, Pioneer Day is held with the village being in full operation.
For some wonderful artwork from the area, check out Lincoln Artisans, an art and retail space in downtown Lincolton.
For more information, go to www.lincolncountyga.org.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY
Thomson in McDuffie County is the location for an annual old English fox hunt that is a tradition for many who pack lunch and head out in wagons. The 46th annual Blessing of the Hounds and Tally-Ho wagon ride was held recently and it was a wonderful day.
The day starts off with the official blessing of the hounds and then the fox hunt begins. Riders in scarlet coats recreate the old English fox hunt.
Wagons are filled with people ready for an adventure. Socializing along the hunt is a big part of the festivities so everyone brings plenty of refreshments. We had our picnic baskets filled with wonderful chicken salad sandwiches, cheese straws and pecan bars from Chinaberry in Thomson and climbed in our wagons for the day’s hunt.
We then rode along in a Tally-Ho wagon on what is likely the largest opening day meet of any foxhunt in the world. We rode through the rolling countryside of McDuffie County as the foxes and hunters on their horses ran ahead of us. It was a great up close and personal view of this amazing event. It is certainly one of the most unique events that you will attend.
While in Thomson, be sure to visit Hickory Hill, the home of Thomas Watson that has been preserved to show the rural Southern way of life in the early 1900s. Watson was an author, lawyer and statesman who moved into the home with his family in 1904. The home is filled with original furnishings and memorabilia belonging to the Watson family.
In downtown Thomason, visitors can find local artwork at MAC on Main Art Gallery, where you might even spot an artists at work on their latest piece.
For a great Southern lunch, stop at Ivery’s, where fried chicken, meat loaf and greens are found on the full buffet.
For more information, go to www.exploremcduffiecounty.com.
WILKES COUNTY
In Wilkes County, visitors can stay at an 1898 Victorian hotel, explore historic homes and delve into the culture of the area at the historical museum. There are more than 100 Antebellum homes in Washington and they are all unique and charming.
In Washington, the Fitzpatrick Hotel is a great place to stay. It’s also a great centrally located hotel that can be your hub while you explore all five counties in the Clarks Hill Partnership.
Walking around downtown Washington and exploring some of the shops is also a must during your visit to Wilkes County. Clothing shops, a Christmas store and several gift shops are among the retail shops found within walking distance of the hotel.
Be sure to have dinner at Washington Jockey Club for fine dining and small town charm. The shrimp and grits is a great choice. As for appetizers, be sure to try the amazing fried green tomatoes.
Lots of history can be found in Washington County with the Robert Toombs House, Washington Historical Museum and Callaway Plantation being among the must-see stops.
The Washington Historical Museum has extensive collections on the Civil War, African-American history, antique games and toys and Native American history.
The Robert Toombs was a planter and lawyer who served as a state legislator, U.S. congressman and senator. He served as the Confederate secretary of state for five months before resigning to serve as brigadier general in the Army of Northern Virginia. He also helped to create the Constitution of 1877.
Visitors to the Robert Toombs House can tour the home and grounds, as well as viewing exhibits and displays on Toomb’s life and history of the time.
Callaway Plantation is a living history museum complex with three restored homes, as well as barns and other out buildings. It gives visitors a glimpse at life in the South from the late 1700s through the turn of the century. A guided tour of the main house is offered and visitors may wander the grounds on their own to check out the other buildings. Picnic tables are also on the grounds.
For more information, go to www.washingtonwilkes.org.
WARREN COUNTY
In Warren County, visitors can check out the Ogeechee River Grist Mill where owner Missy Garner will share the history of the mill and its current use. The mill has been in operation since 1826 and is still in use. Meal can be purchased at the mill or in local grocery stores.
At nearby Ogeechee River Car Museum, owner Alan Shapiro tells you about his background and how he began collecting cars. The museum was built in 2000 and houses over 25 vehicles, dating from 1868 through 1979. Shapiro also has an extensive collection of Coca Cola memorabilia.
Both Garner and Shapiro are fascinating residents of Warren County and are enthusiastic about what they are doing.
Warrentown has a nice downtown area with antique and gift shopping and several restaurant options, including the Side Street Pizzeria, which has great calzones.
While in downtown, stop at the courthouse to check out an impressive collection of local artwork. Also take a look at the Knox Theatre, a wonderful art deco building that is being renovated.
Warrentown is also known for its mouth-watering barbecue. Another dining option is the Victorian tea room found in nearby Jewel.
Check out the county’s website for information on the annual festivals, including Art on Main, Fiddles and Vittles and Sportsman Festival.
It’s a great place to enjoy small town life and Southern charm with friendly folks.
For more information, go to www.warrencountyga.com.
For more information on the five counties and the Clarks Hill Partnership of Georgia, go to www.clarkshillga.org.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at AngieEditor@aol.com.
The heart of Columbia County is Harlem, a quaint Southern town filled with charming antique and gift boutiques, wonderful dining experiences and lots of family fun, including an annual festival that brings up to 30,000 people to visit.
Harlem, located near Augusta, is a great destination for North Georgia residents as it is just a two-hour drive away. There are lots of family friendly and economical options offered.
Harlem has just 3,000 residents, but the first weekend in October each year it draws tens of thousands of people to visit the downtown area and celebrate the life of comedian Oliver Hardy, who was born in Harlem in 1892. The festival includes more than 300 arts and crafts booths, food concessions, live entertainment, children’s rides, a barbecue dinner, silent auction and Laurel and Hardy look-alikes.
The city of Harlem at first had two shelves in its city hall with donated and borrowed Laurel and Hardy memorabilia. The collection has grown and now fills the town’s old post office. A back room in the museum is where films are shown to visitors. The Laurel and Hardy Museum is open year round.
Some of the shops found in downtown Harlem are Lucky Lady, which has pecans coated in all sorts of wonderful flavors; and My Sister’s Loft, a fun consignment shop and boutique.
Located in the heart of Harlem is Red Oak Manor is Columbia County’s only bed and breakfast. The Acorn Restaurant is located adjacent to the inn. The restaurant is a great place to get a hearty meal during your visit.
While in Columbia County, be sure to stop at Savannah Rapids and Pavilion, which is located on an 80-foot bluff overlooking the Savannah River in Martinez. It is a great location to enjoy outdoor activities. The Savannah Rapids Park is a great destination for kayaking, canoeing, biking or hiking.
Also in Columbia County is Steed’s Dairy. Visitors will find a petting zoo, hayride, jumping pillow, PVC slides and pumpkin patch during the fall. It’s located two miles from I-20 on Wrightsboro Road in Grovetown. For more information, go to www.steedsdairy.com.
Other things to do in Columbia County include:
•International Disc Golf Center, 3828 Dogwood Lane, Appling.
•Wildwood Park, Georgia’s bass tournament destination, 6212 Holloway Road, Appling.
•Sanderlin’s Greenhouse, where you can find beautiful poinsettias and spring flowers, as well as many other plants and flowers.
For more information, go to www.visitcocoga.com.
LINCOLN COUNTY
Lincoln County is a great place to visit for outdoor adventure, including boating, fishing and hunting. Clarks Hill Lake has 400 miles of shoreline and 17 boat ramps in Lincoln County.
Contact Hayes Marina for boat rentals at 5580 Marina Parkway (706-541-9111). An afternoon or all day on the water is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside. Pick up lunch before heading out and enjoy eating during your day boating.
Elijah Clark State Park, named after Revolutionary War hero and frontiersman, is also in Lincoln County and it’s a great place to camp. RV sites and furnished cottages are offered. The grounds include a museum, the graves of Clark and his wife and a gift shop and information center.
The state park is located on the western shore of Clarks Hill Lake, making it the perfect destination for fishing and boating.
Lincoln County Historical Park gives visitors a look back at the early days of Lincoln County with an 1850s cotton gin, doctor’s office and home, a late 1700s log cabin, a log smokehouse, a blacksmith’s shop and an old sawmill. Each year, the third Saturday in November, Pioneer Day is held with the village being in full operation.
For some wonderful artwork from the area, check out Lincoln Artisans, an art and retail space in downtown Lincolton.
For more information, go to www.lincolncountyga.org.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY
Thomson in McDuffie County is the location for an annual old English fox hunt that is a tradition for many who pack lunch and head out in wagons. The 46th annual Blessing of the Hounds and Tally-Ho wagon ride was held recently and it was a wonderful day.
The day starts off with the official blessing of the hounds and then the fox hunt begins. Riders in scarlet coats recreate the old English fox hunt.
Wagons are filled with people ready for an adventure. Socializing along the hunt is a big part of the festivities so everyone brings plenty of refreshments. We had our picnic baskets filled with wonderful chicken salad sandwiches, cheese straws and pecan bars from Chinaberry in Thomson and climbed in our wagons for the day’s hunt.
We then rode along in a Tally-Ho wagon on what is likely the largest opening day meet of any foxhunt in the world. We rode through the rolling countryside of McDuffie County as the foxes and hunters on their horses ran ahead of us. It was a great up close and personal view of this amazing event. It is certainly one of the most unique events that you will attend.
While in Thomson, be sure to visit Hickory Hill, the home of Thomas Watson that has been preserved to show the rural Southern way of life in the early 1900s. Watson was an author, lawyer and statesman who moved into the home with his family in 1904. The home is filled with original furnishings and memorabilia belonging to the Watson family.
In downtown Thomason, visitors can find local artwork at MAC on Main Art Gallery, where you might even spot an artists at work on their latest piece.
For a great Southern lunch, stop at Ivery’s, where fried chicken, meat loaf and greens are found on the full buffet.
For more information, go to www.exploremcduffiecounty.com.
WILKES COUNTY
In Wilkes County, visitors can stay at an 1898 Victorian hotel, explore historic homes and delve into the culture of the area at the historical museum. There are more than 100 Antebellum homes in Washington and they are all unique and charming.
In Washington, the Fitzpatrick Hotel is a great place to stay. It’s also a great centrally located hotel that can be your hub while you explore all five counties in the Clarks Hill Partnership.
Walking around downtown Washington and exploring some of the shops is also a must during your visit to Wilkes County. Clothing shops, a Christmas store and several gift shops are among the retail shops found within walking distance of the hotel.
Be sure to have dinner at Washington Jockey Club for fine dining and small town charm. The shrimp and grits is a great choice. As for appetizers, be sure to try the amazing fried green tomatoes.
Lots of history can be found in Washington County with the Robert Toombs House, Washington Historical Museum and Callaway Plantation being among the must-see stops.
The Washington Historical Museum has extensive collections on the Civil War, African-American history, antique games and toys and Native American history.
The Robert Toombs was a planter and lawyer who served as a state legislator, U.S. congressman and senator. He served as the Confederate secretary of state for five months before resigning to serve as brigadier general in the Army of Northern Virginia. He also helped to create the Constitution of 1877.
Visitors to the Robert Toombs House can tour the home and grounds, as well as viewing exhibits and displays on Toomb’s life and history of the time.
Callaway Plantation is a living history museum complex with three restored homes, as well as barns and other out buildings. It gives visitors a glimpse at life in the South from the late 1700s through the turn of the century. A guided tour of the main house is offered and visitors may wander the grounds on their own to check out the other buildings. Picnic tables are also on the grounds.
For more information, go to www.washingtonwilkes.org.
WARREN COUNTY
In Warren County, visitors can check out the Ogeechee River Grist Mill where owner Missy Garner will share the history of the mill and its current use. The mill has been in operation since 1826 and is still in use. Meal can be purchased at the mill or in local grocery stores.
At nearby Ogeechee River Car Museum, owner Alan Shapiro tells you about his background and how he began collecting cars. The museum was built in 2000 and houses over 25 vehicles, dating from 1868 through 1979. Shapiro also has an extensive collection of Coca Cola memorabilia.
Both Garner and Shapiro are fascinating residents of Warren County and are enthusiastic about what they are doing.
Warrentown has a nice downtown area with antique and gift shopping and several restaurant options, including the Side Street Pizzeria, which has great calzones.
While in downtown, stop at the courthouse to check out an impressive collection of local artwork. Also take a look at the Knox Theatre, a wonderful art deco building that is being renovated.
Warrentown is also known for its mouth-watering barbecue. Another dining option is the Victorian tea room found in nearby Jewel.
Check out the county’s website for information on the annual festivals, including Art on Main, Fiddles and Vittles and Sportsman Festival.
It’s a great place to enjoy small town life and Southern charm with friendly folks.
For more information, go to www.warrencountyga.com.
For more information on the five counties and the Clarks Hill Partnership of Georgia, go to www.clarkshillga.org.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at AngieEditor@aol.com.
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